Mike and Beverly Creiglow have served the Lord in Cruzeiro do Sul, Acre, Brazil together since 1971. In addition to pastoring First Baptist of Cruzeiro do Sul, Mike builds his own boats and frequently travels up and down rivers to share the Gospel with those who have never heard.

September 15, 2017

Dear Brethren,

Greetings to all. It has been a good long while. For the last 3 months, I have had 4 different illnesses to deal with. I am over one of them and recovering (long process) from another. The other 2 will be with me for the rest of my life. It has been tough not being able to do my usual stuff.

Bev and I went to Manaus for our big conference at Nova Igreja Batista where David Hatcher is pastor. At least one of our missionaries, (José Maia) reported on the work in Peru. I was privileged to bring a message on Sunday morning. There were over 40 of our workers and wives from our area at the conference. I believe there were 160 pastors from all over Brazil. It is always a very encouraging time for us. To see a church that is doctrinally sound and growing by leaps and bounds is something to see and rejoice about. Thanks, and congratulations to Nova Igreja Batista.

Another visit was made to Santa Rosa do Purús. This time José Maia took his son Lucas and his bride-to-be to check out the field. They have another year of training. In about a year and a half we hope to send them. In the meantime, we have helped the Kaxinawá church to get their property and soon we will help them put up a building. Right now, they meet behind Pastor Moisés’ house under a little thatch roof.

The youth and the ladies have held their retreats in August and September. The youth had over 100 and there were 2 or 3 saved. The ladies had over 130 at camp.

We have had good services at church with people being saved almost every week. We have also had an unusual number of folks coming from other Baptist churches by letter and even more from other denominations by baptism. On the other hand, we continue to lose folks who move to other cities. This week a retired policeman and his whole family are on their way to Porto Velho. Another retired middle-aged couple just moved to Rio Branco where their 2 children are in college. All of these folks, who have been faithful and productive, are also people with good income. We put on 2 more missionaries this year, so things have already been really tight. We continue to smile at all the ways He keeps us supplied. It is amazing.

The teachers and staff of Colégio Cristão Cruzeiro. The principal is the man in the middle.

Our school just had a celebration of 25 years. We have continued to have first through 8th grades. This year we have 649 students. The party was at the city’s only public auditorium and theatre. Our school is now rated the 2nd best of dozens of schools in Cruzeiro do Sul and 5th best in the state. Our principal is Thiago Muniz. He and family are very faithful members. He has done an exceptional job at Colégio Cristão Cruzeiro.

We have had a crime wave in the Acre’s 3 largest cities. We had a 24-hour murder spree here. Four murders and another non-fatal shooting. One of these shootouts was right in front of the grocery store where we do our shopping in the middle of the afternoon. This is organized crime being run mostly from within the penitentiaries. The streets are now empty after dark. Some churches have set their service an hour earlier. Even our attendance is a little off.

Pray for me and for our forlorn city.

Thanks for all of your prayers and support. God bless you as much as He has us.

In Christ,
Mike Creiglow

Mike and Beverly Creiglow
Caixa Postal 24
Cruzeiro do Sul, Acre, Brazil 69980
mdcreig [at] hotmail.com

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